Executive brief
Request Tracker (RT), a widely used enterprise ticket and issue tracking system, contains a security flaw in how it handles file uploads. An authenticated user can upload a malicious file containing hidden code that executes in the browser of any other staff member or administrator who views the file. This could allow an attacker to perform actions on behalf of other users or access sensitive information within the tracking system.
Technical details
A stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in Best Practical RT versions 5.0.x and 6.0.x. The root cause is the application serving uploaded content inline rather than forcing a download via the Content-Disposition header. An authenticated attacker with permissions to upload content (such as ticket attachments) can embed malicious JavaScript within a file. When another user views or downloads this content, the script executes within the context of their browser session. This can lead to session hijacking or unauthorized actions performed with the victim's privileges. The issue is resolved in versions 5.0.10 and 6.0.3. A workaround is available by enabling the 'AlwaysDownloadAttachments' configuration option.
Affected products
- Best Practical RT (Request Tracker) >= 5.0.0, < 5.0.10; >= 6.0.0, < 6.0.3
Timeline
- 2026-05-20: patched: Versions 5.0.10 and 6.0.3 released
- 2026-05-20: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory published
- 2026-07-20: disclosed: CVE published to NVD